"What's on your mind?" Scotty asked.
Rick shrugged. "Nothing. I haven't the ghost of an idea about this ghost."
"It was pretty real," Scotty remembered.
"Too true." It was so real that Rick almost believed in it. But he was bothered by a vague feeling that something was wrong.
"Look, Scotty. I've read plenty of ghost stories, and I've read the book by Charles Fort that Dad has in the library. Nothing was ever said about this kind of ghost. I mean, a ghost that went in for public appearances promptly at nine whenever he had an audience. Of course, there's no rule that says a ghost has to behave in any definite way, but this is too ... well, it's too perfect, if you know what I mean."
"I do. It's almost like a show, isn't it?"
"That's it. It's a performance more than an appearance, if there's any distinction. The ghost did exactly what he's been doing. Same act."
Scotty grinned. "Why not? The act is part of the legend, and it's a pretty convincing one."
Rick cocked an eyebrow at him. "Whose side are you on? The ghost's or mine?"
"I have an open mind," Scotty explained.